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Yankees starter Sabathia ´definitely´ wants to play next year

While the New York Yankees continue their postseason run in the American League Division Series (ALDS) against the Boston Red Sox, CC Sabathia is already thinking about next season.

The veteran pitcher, who has spent 10 years in New York, says he is not planning to retire after 2018.

"I definitely want to play next year," Sabathia told a news conference on Monday.

"I'll play anywhere," he added. "I still want to play. I still want to pitch. I definitely can help and still get guys out."

Sabathia, 38, has the support of former team-mate and manager Aaron Boone, who said he still has a few more years in him if he can stay healthy.

"There's no question to me that he can pitch for more than just next year if he wants to, as long as his knee holds up," Boone said before Monday's game. "As long as his knee's healthy, I think he can be a successful pitcher for, actually, many more years if he really wants to. I think he's still that good and capable."

The 17-year veteran went 9-7 with a 3.65 ERA and 140 strikeouts in 153 innings in 2018.

Sabathia finished the regular season with 246 career wins, which ranks 50th on MLB's all-time list. He has won one World Series (2009), an American League Championship Series MVP (2009) and a Cy Young (2007).

Sabathia spent time in Cleveland and Milwaukee before he landed in New York in 2009.

"I haven't really given it much, much thought, but the last couple months I've thought about the Hall of Fame or my career and things like that, as I get to the end," Sabathia said. "So, I don't really have a statement about it, I guess, but I have thought about it."